An Open Letter to Pastors – (and anyone else who wants to peek)

The following is taken from my e-mail inbox this morning.  It struck a responsive chord with me.  My experience tells me that is the kind of encouragement every Pastor needs … but not every pastor gets.  If you are a Pastor, take heart and be encouraged by this.  If you are a church member, perhaps this will help you to know how to minister to your Pastor … particularly at this time of year.

“Hope in the Holidays”

by Dan Reiland

Dear Pastor,

Thank you for all that you do. I want you to know that you are appreciated, even if it doesn’t always feel like it.

The holidays can be crazy for the people in your congregation. The in-laws come to town, checking accounts get stretched in an already tight economy, and hectic schedules go manic. Your job is to bring the peace of Christ into the mix. This is no easy job, especially if you are longing for the same peace.

In a season when your congregation gets some time off, you are working like crazy to create inspiring and spiritually meaningful services and ministry opportunities. I know that’s your job, and you love it. But that doesn’t make it easy. I want you to know that for every person that complains there are many more that appreciate your leadership.

You might perceive this “open letter” as general in nature. In some ways, of course, it is. But more so, it’s personal. It’s personal because I’m writing from my heart as a leader to your heart as a leader. I get it. I know what you do. I know what you carry. You love the Lord, you’re called, and when it’s working, there’s nothing as amazing as a local church. When it’s not working, however, few things can compare to the stress and pressure. Even in the wonderful holiday season.

A young bi-vocational pastor with two small urban churches has been talking with me about his struggles. He wants to lead the churches to health and growth and the congregations wants to stay like they are. One church, the larger of the two, has decided that its time for him to leave. The other is so small it can’t pay him more than modest stipend. I can only imagine what this pastor’s family is thinking and feeling.

A student pastor emailed me about the complaints of the Pastor and church leaders regarding the “unsavory and undisciplined pagan teenagers” in the church that are having a negative effect on the good “church kids.” The parents have threatened the Pastor to stop giving or stop attending if this “situation” isn’t taken care of.

How about you? What pressures are you facing during the holidays? I don’t know your challenges or uncertainties. But I do have a sense about how much you want your church to thrive and be a spiritually dynamic force for good in your community. I do know how you feel when you ask God to help you.

These next few simple thoughts are for you if they are helpful. If you are doing great, and your church is thriving, perhaps you know a pastor friend who might need to read this letter.

If you are tempted to pull back, lean in. I have a few friends who are fire fighters. They tell me it is not a natural inclination to run into a burning building, but that’s what they do. It’s not a natural inclination for anyone to lean into pressure and difficulty but that’s what leaders do. Pastor, you lean in because the people need you to lead. Your absence is felt. When I say lean in, I don’t me show up and teach on Sunday and continue to fulfill your responsibilities. I mean lean in to your ministry with your whole heart, giving it 100%. That can feel counterintuitive in difficult times, but it’s the only way to achieve what you really want.

Remember your calling. I’ve been a pastor for 29 years. It’s actually possible to get so busy in the day-to-day responsibilities of leading a church that you can lose your present awareness of the beauty and power of God’s call on your life. There is a strange but certain irony about that during the holidays. You can sing “Joy To the World”, but not always feel it. When I reflect upon the fact that the Creator of the Universe, God Himself, has ordained me for this work I immediately lean in. When I remember that it is the Savior of the world, Jesus, who died for my sins and makes my leadership possible, I lean in. And each time I call upon the Holy Spirit, knowing the Counselor guides me into all wisdom and power, I lean in. I pray this truth over you today.

Take time for your family. You are busy, I know. Your congregation needs you to lead well, but they don’t need you to do everything. Think about that for a minute. What, specifically, does that mean for you in your church? I teach a monthly leadership lesson to the ministry team at 12Stone Church, but not in July or December. I take that time and make room for other things to create a little margin for my family. Pastor Kevin, our Senior Pastor carries out the same idea. He also teaches a monthly leadership lesson to the entire staff, but not in July or December. We take the time we normally would meet for “All Staff” in December and enjoy our staff Christmas party. These aren’t big deals, and that’s why I’m telling you about them. They are everyday things that are practical and doable, and each helps you create a little margin that you need in the holidays. If you are anything like me, you may be tempted to fill in the new margin with more work. The way to beat that is to put some things down in your calendar with your family. Keep them simple so you will actually do it. Take a breath and really enjoy that time with those closest to you.

The hope you offer to your congregation is for you too. I sometimes think about who pastors the pastor. A good bit of that can happen over coffee when you talk with another pastor, and maybe you have a loyal and trusted prayer partner that fulfills part of that role, but there’s always a gap. This brings attention to another ironic thing, which is the big question of when a pastor goes to church. I know you’re there all the time, but you definitely know what I mean . . . You have been faithful to teach the truth, and no doubt your congregation will again hear these words from Luke chapter 2:11 “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” And verse 14: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Pastor, this Scripture is for you today. And I pray for you, as I write these words, that 2011 will be filled with the Hope of Christ for you and your leadership. I pray that your church will know the presence and power of Jesus in ways that are absolutely unmistakable.

Merry Christmas Pastor, and may God bless you.

Dr. Dan Reiland serves as Executive Pastor at 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He previously partnered with John Maxwell for 20 years, first as Executive Pastor at Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego, then as Vice President of Leadership and Church Development at INJOY. He and Dr. Maxwell still enjoy partnering on a number of church related projects together.

“This article is used by permission from Dr. Dan Reiland’s free monthly e-newsletter, “The Pastor’s Coach,” available at www.INJOY.com.”